Contacting The Board

1. What is the Board’s mailing address and street address?

12022 Plank Road 

Baton Rouge, LA 70811

2. How do I get to the Board Office?

Directions to the State Board Office - ....

3. How do I receive a mailing list?    Cost?

Send written request with $50.00 to:
LSBMT

12022 Plank Road 

Baton Rouge, LA 70811

Be sure to specify whether labels should be sorted by zip code or alphabetized, and whether you want them printed on mailing labels or in electronic form on a pc diskette.

4. How do I receive a copy of the laws, rules, and regulations?    Cost?

Send written request with $15.00 to:

LSBMT

12022 Plank Road 

Baton Rouge, LA 70811

OR

you may review and print the Law & Rules.

Qualifications and Initial Licensing

1. What are the licensure qualifications for Louisiana?

See "Qualifications for Licensure" under the LICENSING section of the website.

2. What is the testing procedure?

Once a therapist meets the necessary qualifications, they must apply to take both the National Certification Exam and the Louisiana State Oral Exam (two separate applications & fees). They must take the National Exam first and save the PASS slip given them upon completion of the test. This will be their admit to the Oral Exam.

3. How do I apply for the National Certification Examination?

Contact the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork at 1-800-296-0664 or go to their website  www.ncbtmb.com . 
 

You can also contact the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Asian Bodywork Therapy (NCCAOM) at 11 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA, 22314. (703) 548-9079 (fax). Go to their website  www.nccaom.org 

4. When and where is the National Certification Exam given?

The NCE is given in most major cities on almost every day of the year with the exception of major holidays. A list of test locations and dates will be sent to you after National processes your application.

5. How do I receive an application for the oral examination?

Go to the LICENSING area and pull up form called "Application for Professional Licensure."
OR
Write the State Board Office at 12022 Plank Road  Baton Rouge, LA 70811 or call: Ph 225-771-4090
 

6. When are the dates for the oral examination?

The State Oral Exam is given on the last Friday of each month, except for holiday weekends. On holiday weekends, the examination is moved to the next to last Friday of the month.

7. How do I receive an original establishment application?

Go to the LICENSING area and pull up the form called "Application for Establishment License."

OR

Write the State Board Office at 12022 Plank Road  Baton Rouge, LA 70811 or call: Ph 225-771-4090

8. How do I receive a provisional application?

Go to the LICENSING area and pull up form called "Provisional License Application"

OR

Write the State Board Office at 12022 Plank Road  Baton Rouge, LA 70811 or call: Ph 225-771-4090

License Renewals

1. What happens if your license or establishment renewal application has a mistake or is incomplete?

Incomplete applications are returned to the therapist with a letter advising the therapist how to correct the problem and resubmit the application.

2. When is the deadline for submitting a license renewal for next year?

All license renewal forms must be postmarked by December 31 of the current year.

3. Isn’t there a grace period for late filing?

No, the law gives you a thirty (30) day period for filing late each year; however, this grace period was implemented in order to keep therapists out of disciplinary action, not to encourage procrastination. For example, if we did not have this period, a therapist who files at the last minute and makes a simple mistake on their forms would have their licenses lapse and be in violation of the law, placing them on disciplinary action. With the 30 day period, mistakes in paperwork can be returned to the therapist and corrected and postmarked by January 31st, while only incurring a $100.00 late fee.

4. What happens if the renewal application is postmarked later than December 31 but within the 30 day period?

If the therapist has included the $100.00 late fee and the application is complete, the renewal form will be processed. If the late renewal application is received without the late fee, then the application is returned with the renewal fee and a letter stating that the renewal was sent late and that an additional $100.00 late fee must accompany the paperwork.

5. What happens if the renewal is postmarked after the thirty day grace period?

If the therapist’s application for renewal is postmarked more than 30 days after the deadline of December 31, then the therapist is referred to a Hearing Officer for disciplinary action. The therapist’s licenses are deemed expired until the situation is resolved and the therapist may NOT practice until they have their new license in hand. They will receive a letter notifying them to make an appointment with the Hearing Officer to present their case. At this time, the therapist may present any evidence (such as registered mail receipts, correspondence with the Board, etc.) that justifies their position for filing late. After reviewing the evidence, the Hearing Officer will either (a) dismiss charges and grant the therapist their license, or (b) impose a fine of up to $1000 per violation on the therapist, or (c) refer the matter before the full board.

6. How long does it take to get my license back after renewal?

Times vary greatly depending upon the volume of renewals received. Turnaround time may be as quick as 3 days or as long as 2 months.

7. Two months is a long time; why would it take that long to process a renewal?

All renewals are processed in the order in which they were received. When the majority of the licensed therapists wait till the last minute to mail in their renewals, the result is literally hundreds of forms that must be processed all arriving at the last minute or well into January with the holiday mail. Remember that we only have 3 staff people in the office during the week and in addition to processing renewals they schedule testings, fill application requests, conduct oral exams, handle hearings, conduct inspections, attend various meetings and trainings for state employees and often field up to 100 phone calls a day. You can help prevent delays by mailing your renewal form in early each year. The earlier you mail it, the less delay you can expect. In the event that you do experience a delay, we DO appreciate your patience.

8. Isn’t there a better way to process the renewals or rush the process?

At the present time, this is most efficient system we have ever had. It is a process that is constantly evolving. We are interested in hearing any ideas that might streamline the process. Keep in mind that we are limited by our law - it requires that all licenses be renewed at the end of the calendar year for the following year. The main purpose of the law and the Board is to protect the public. For this reason, we cannot rush the process. Each person has to be processed carefully, fairly, and impartially. This takes time.

9. When are renewal applications mailed out to therapists?

Typically, the professional license renewal application and establishment renewal application are sent out in early October of each year. This gives therapists two to three months to complete the paperwork before the deadline.

10. What if I lose one or both of the renewal applications?

As soon as possible, contact the board by phone, mail or fax to request a new application, or you may print a copy from the LICENSING area of this website.

11. If I sent in my license renewal, but haven’t received my new license, can I still practice?

Yes, but ONLY as long as you are NOT involved in any disciplinary action proceedings with the massage therapy board. In fact, you can still continue to practice even if you mailed your form in late (within the 30 day grace period) as long as the application is complete.

12. For an application to be complete, what must be included?

1. the license and establishment forms are complete (no blank spaces) and are signed by the right people in the right spaces,

2. the $125 license renewal fee and if applicable, the $100 late fee, are included,

3. the $100 establishment renewal fee and if applicable, the $100 late fee, are included,

4. proof of 12 ceu’s for the previous year are included, and

5. the therapist is not currently involved in any disciplinary action proceedings with the massage therapy board.

Continuing Education units (CEU’s)

1. How many CEU’s are we required to complete every year?

Each massage therapist must be able to document at least 12 hours of board-approved ceu’s for each year of practice after the first year.

2. How many CEU’s are needed the first year of practice?

None - for example, if the therapist graduates in 2001 and gets licensed in between January and September 2001, then they will not need to take any ceu classes until 2002. Evidence of the 2002 classes will be required with their 2003 renewal application.

3. What if they get licensed in the last quarter of a year?

Generally, they begin with the next year’s license. For example, if the therapist graduates in 2001, but doesn’t apply for licensing until the last quarter of the year 2001, they will receive a 2002 license instead of a 2001 license. In this case, 2002 will be their first licensing year and they will not be required to take any ceu courses until 2003. Also, they may practice in the last quarter of 2001, once they have received their 2002 license.

4. How do I document ceu attendance?

There are two documentation requirements for CEU attendance. First, you should sign the daily attendance sheet with your name and license number at each ceu workshop you attend. The presenter will submit this information to the state board periodically. Second, you should receive a certificate of completion or letter of attendance for the ceu class from the provider. Keep the original in your files and enclose a photocopy of this proof with your renewal every year.

5. How do I receive updated list of approved CEU classes?

Send written request to the Board Office, or call or fax the Board Office and request a list by either return mail or FAX. There is no charge for the list of approved CEU classes.

6. How do I become a CEU provider?

Print the CEU Provider and Program Approval forms which are available at the website under LICENSING.